The month of February is American Heart Month, and Friends of Heart, a fund of the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, donated an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the STAR Center, Friday.
According to a press release, the gift was made possible thanks to contributions from Friends of Heart Members who saw a need for STAR Center to have and AED on hand for their patients and visitors.
“We are so thankful to Friends of Heart for blessing us with this gift and the peace-of-mind that comes along with it,” said Dave Bratcher, STAR Center president. “This will allow us to remain focused on living out our mission to help any person with any disability realize their potential.”
One of the main goals of Friends of Heart is to provide the community with live-saving resources.
These devices recalibrate deadly heart rhythms of a person who has gone into cardiac arrest. These actions can mean the difference between life and death, especially in rural areas where it can take EMS longer to arrive. The AEDs are simple to use and can be operated without a medical professional present.
Friends of Heart has now placed over 50 AEDs in public rural areas throughout West Tennessee.
Friends of Heart partners with the West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center to meet the needs of heart patients.
Its mission is to be a community led and community focused group, ensuring the best heart and vascular care for people in West Tennessee.
This effort is designed to keep fundraising dollars local, serving the people of West Tennessee.
Friends of Heart’s main Key Initiatives are:
* Increase opportunities for clinical research and technological advancement in West Tennessee
* Develop and fund better community outreach, education, and resource development
* Develop a mechanism for improved staff education and development
* Construct the first integrated heart center within our 18-county region
About the Foundation The Foundation began in 1984 and is an independent community foundation that provides resources for almost 700 charitable interests. Funds for the staff and general operational expenses come as a gift through West Tennessee Healthcare to encourage charitable giving for good causes. The staff of five provides leadership for three community boards and numerous fundraisers for Foundation-sponsored activities.
(PHOTO: Dave Bratcher, president of the STAR Center, second from left. Mark Taylor, owner and president of MASTER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT – a supplier of professional medical equipment – is at the far right)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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